When the result of the election became known, Judge-elect Field drove to Chadron and there took the oath of office as County Judge, returned to Nonpareil and administered the oath of office to his associate officers. He approved the bonds of the county commissioners, who immediately met in special session and commenced to plan to launch the new county upon its career as a struggling commonwealth. The first set of officers elected proved to be careful, able and painstaking officers. The county did not have a dollar in its treasury,

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

not a dollar of tax had been levied, and its credit had yet to be established.

Nonpareil, the County Skat

The people of Nonpareil, as an inducement or bribe to the voters, had made a pre-election promise that in case Nonpareil was chosen as the county capital, that they, the people of Nonpareil would, at their own expense, erect a frame courthouse suitable to house the couniv officers and in which to transact the county's business. This promise they fulfiLled by erecting a flimsy frame structure, twenty by thirty feet in dimensions, one and a half stories in height. This building was not plastered, neither did it have a chimney, the floors were all rough boards, counters, tables and other furniture was manufactured out of rough sawn Pine Ridge lumber by local carpenters. A large fire proof safe, costing one thousand dollars was bought on long time payments, which the commissioners promised to pay when funds were derived from taxation. This was completed .in May or June of 1887. A small jail, containing two cells, built of two by four scantling securely spiked together and covered with a rought board roof was also erected.